Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold have contributed significantly to England’s creativity (Photo: Getty)

Gareth Southgate has singled out four players – including Chelsea and Liverpool stars – for his praise after England’s poor win over Malta.

Thanks to an own goal from Enrico Pepe and a late goal from Harry Kane, the Three Lions secured a 2-0 victory at Wembley on Friday evening.

Although they have already secured their place at the 2024 Euros and remained unbeaten in qualifying, it was a deeply uninspired performance against modest, if tough, competition.

It took more than an hour for the first shot on target to be fired and Southgate was quick to recognize his team’s disappointment but refused to criticize his players too harshly.

“If you don’t start matches well it’s very difficult to achieve a breakthrough and we didn’t do that. We know that the level we have has to be better, can be better,” he said after the match.

“The games you know you can win at a gallop, the number of games these players play, it’s almost self-regulation. We haven’t reached the heights we’ve reached this calendar year.

“So not enough quality on the ball and not enough chances created, but I am a player and I know exactly how these games feel and of course it is possible that with the decisions we could have had three or four, but we each have others not deserved.” Enough clear opportunities to earn it.

Marc Guehi continues to impress for England (Image: Getty)

“These players have played so many games and done so well for us, so I won’t judge them on that. We weren’t where we were [should be] but we won.’

Southgate was keen to praise a star quartet with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who once again proved himself in midfield.

When asked about Liverpool’s right-back, the England manager said: “He has excellent quality.” Him and Phil [Foden] were the two in the first half who seemed to open the game for us.

“Marc Guehi was good at the back, again a very mature performance.” He has really developed as an international footballer.

“The changes brought more quality.” you [Malta] We don’t lose by fives or sixes and we obviously didn’t create as many chances as we would have liked.

“The arrival of Cole Palmer for his debut had a good effect. He seemed very comfortable in this environment. There are positives, but we know we were not where we wanted to be and could be.